Simplify.....

I was reading a book the other day from one of my favorite authors, Mathew Kelly. In the book he was talking about needing to simplify our lives. And how we over look the simple answer. If it is simple we tend to think it canmot be the answer, how can it when it is so simple. We go to the complex, complicated, convoluted way looking for our answer, because if it is simple, it just cannot be the answer. How many times do we come back to the simple answer, that often times was right in front of our faces? Fitness and nutrition are no different.

Today, the area of fitness and nutrition has become very complicated. You have to eat certain grams and calories of protein, fat and carbs, they have to be eaten at specific times, or you will not lose weight you will gain. Exercises have to be done with purple poked shorts, with leggings underneath, a green sports bra with a yellow top that has strips which are vertical and your hair has to be just right! Along with that you have to stand on one foot, balance a weight in your right hand and think the correct thought. I know that is all a fabrication, but I think you get my drift. Magazines, trainers, nutritionist, web sites, late night infomercials all make exercising and nutrition sound complicated. So complicated in fact that many people through their hands in the air and say who cares. I have tried to lose weight and get into shape, but all of the complexity is over my head. I cannot understand how to lose weight and stay in shape. So, they stop trying. It is like every other problem, it is simplifying and going back to the basics.

When we simplify weight lose and exercising, we find it is not all that complicated. What it boils down to is eating real food. If God did not create it, it was man made, then do not eat it. Other than butter and bacon. God did create those, we just have to turn them into those forms! Learn to listen to your body. It will tell you the real food it needs. Your body does not want to be sick or out of balance. God created our bodies to know what they need and when they need it. Just like an animal in nature, they know what to eat and not eat. How do they know this, listening to their bodies.

To make it even more simple, stick to single ingredient foods and combine them yourself. It is not complicated to eat healthy. It is retraining your body to crave the whole foods and learning to eat and enjoy whole foods.

Exercising is nothing more than getting up off your butt and moving. You do not have to go to the gym for an hour everyday to lose weight. Go outside and play with your kids. Don't have kids, take your dog out and play, run around and chase each other. Exercising does not have to be some ridge, rule stricken aspect of your life. If you want it to be, you can. Exercising should be something fun and even spontaneous. Yes, to get the best results, you need to push yourself, you should still enjoy it though. If the gym is not your thing, find something that is. Remember, the simplest thing can be a great work out. If you want to get up in the morning, whenever you want to work out, and do:
 10-15 push up
 15-20 lunges
 30 seconds of mountain climbers
15-20 jumping squats
30 second plank
Repeat this set 3-4 and then do it 3 times a week and then go for a 45 minute to an hour walk daily, I would let you know, you are well on your way to improving your health. I really just made that set up as I was typing this. This is how simple getting into shape can be. You do not need more "stuff", your body weight is the best thing you can use. If you do not believe me, Youtube videos of gymnasts and then tell me what you think. Most of their training is body weight training, I know from personal experiences.You already have all of the information you need. The fitness world needs it be very complicated to keep you coming back for more and thinking you do not have the tools. You do. Keep it simple, simplicity is the key to success.

Until next time, remember to look for the simple!
In the Love of Christ,
Jenn